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Why change the date of local elections from April to November?

The purpose of moving elections to November is to increase voter turnout by aligning local elections with state and federal elections.Historically, Canton’s voter participation in local elections ranges from 17-24% of registered voters. (Turnout was higher in 2024, likely because of the highly unusual and charged circumstances of 2024). Canton’s recent voter participation in state elections is about 60%, and voter participation in presidential years is about 80%. There are currently about 18,500 registered voters in Canton.We believe that most voters who participate in state and federal elections (through early voting, mail-in voting, or election day voting) will also ask for a local ballot, significantly increasing the number of voters who participate and support our local government.Larger voter turnout means that the candidates elected will be the choice of a larger group of voters, more widely representative of the entire community. Over time, more voter engagement will likely translate into greater understanding, appreciation of, and participation in elected, appointed, and volunteer service to the community.

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Why do most Massachusetts towns hold their local elections in the spring?

A very old Massachusetts law established this practice due to the autumn harvests of what were largely farming towns, which made holding November elections impractical. That was not the case with Massachusetts cities, which hold their local elections in November. We believe this distinction is no longer relevant and unfortunately depresses voter turnout. Some Massachusetts towns have already moved their local elections to November.

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What is a “dual ballot” election?

Canton holds elections annually for its municipal offices. State and federal elections are held every two, four, and six years depending on the office, but always on even numbered years.If Canton were to adopt this change, there would be no difference between the ballot voters historically received in April and the one voters receive in November during odd years. During even years, voters who wished to vote for local, federal and/or state candidates would receive two ballots (one with local candidates, and another with state and federal candidates). These are called dual ballot elections.

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Have “dual ballot” elections been held successfully in Massachusetts towns?

Yes.There have been successful dual ballot elections in numerous Massachusetts towns, for different reasons, although none that we know of for combining local elections with state and federal elections in November.With good organization and planning, and modest additional part-time/seasonal resources to assist our Town Clerk’s office (for example, partially processing mail-in ballots in advance of Election Day), we are confident in the ability to run a successful dual ballot election every other year.

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Are there additional benefits to Canton of larger voter turnout?

Yes, data shows that larger voter turnout means that the candidates elected will be the choice of a larger group of voters, more widely representative of the entire community.And it is believed that more voter engagement will, over time, translate into greater understanding, appreciation of, and participation in elected, appointed, and volunteer service to the community.

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Has the effect of election timing on voter turnout been studied?

Yes. Exhaustively. Research has focused on many cities and towns of varying populations, with different local government structures, throughout the United States.As examples, check out the following links:

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Will combining elections in November save Canton money?

Not necessarily. When there are federal and state elections in November, eliminating local April elections in favor of combining them all in November could eliminate some duplication of expenses (for example, police details and poll workers). But other expenses would increase as a result of greater voter participation in November’s local elections (for example, ballot related costs).This recommended change is not driven principally to save money; rather, it aims to improve the democratic process through increased voter participation and engagement.

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Does the ballot question differ from the 2023 Special Town Meeting article?

If the petitioners succeed in putting the question on the ballot, voters will have the opportunity to express their desire that the timing of local elections be changed. The will of the voters as expressed is advisory and non-binding on the Select Board.The similarly worded warrant article considered by the November 2023 Special Town Meeting, which did not pass, would strictly speaking, also have been non-binding on the Select Board.Canton Residents to Move the Vote believe that the combined circumstances of the Special Town Meeting vote, including the communication and IT challenges of the high school venue, parking challenges, very late hour, confusion, early departures and contentiousness of other unrelated votes, resulted in a vote that did not express the will of Canton voters on this issue.The ballot question would likely be voted on by many more thousands of voters, and on a secret ballot.

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If approved at the ballot box, does it return to Town Meeting?

Yes.If the ballot question garners a majority vote, the Select Board will hopefully be persuaded to follow the clear will of the voters and submit a “home rule” petition to the Massachusetts legislature to enable the change to Canton’s bylaw. Such a home rule petition must be authorized by Town Meeting.

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Was the campaign successful in collecting signatures to require the addition of a ballot question on the April 8, 2025 ballot?

Yes!Over 30 volunteer signature gatherers collected 2,369 petition signatures in favor of including the ballot question of whether to move local elections from April to November. Canton Residents to Move the Vote submitted the signatures to the Canton Registrars, care of the Canton Town Clerk, on February 3, 2025. This amount far exceeded the 10% of Canton voter signatures required under state law to add a question to our local ballot. A week later, the Town Clerk confirmed that enough of the submitted signatures had been certified, and that the question would be added to the upcoming ballot.

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Does a majority YES vote on the April ballot mean that local elections will immediately happen in November instead of April?

No. This is a multi-step process. After a favorable vote expressing the will of Canton voters on the April ballot question, the next step is at Canton’s May 12 Annual Town Meeting. Canton voters, by a simple majority (51%), must vote in favor of Article 27 to authorize the Select Board to file a home rule petition with the Massachusetts legislature to exempt Canton from the state law relating to the timing of local elections. These two wins would send a strong message to the Select Board as to the wishes of Canton voters to support this change.

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What is the home rule petition process?

A home rule petition is a way to address local issues whereby a town requests the state legislature to allow a town essentially to be exempted from a state law that otherwise affects it. If the Town Meeting authorizes the filing of a home rule petition, a majority of at least three members of the Select Board must then vote to approve filing the home rule petition. A home rule petition, even if ultimately successful, could require numerous legislative sessions. Should this change be the will of Canton voters, Senator Paul Feeney has committed to champion the home rule petition through the legislature.

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Does the Canton Town Clerk support the ballot initiative to Move the Vote?

The Town Clerk has stated publicly that she supports the objective of increasing voter turnout. However, she has expressed good faith concerns and identified legitimate operational issues that would have to be addressed before such a change could be implemented. These issues would require hard work and the involvement of numerous stakeholders in crafting the specifics of a home rule petition. Canton Residents to Move the Vote acknowledges the complexity of this process and is committed to supporting the work necessary to make an ultimate change a fully successful one that the Town can be proud to support.As an example, Canton Residents to Move the Vote would advocate for a home rule petition that allows adding Canton’s local candidates to the state ballot in even years, thereby eliminating the challenges of a dual ballot election.

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How do I volunteer to help?

Reach out today to host a lawn sign or hold a sign on or before Election Day on April 8, to move the vote!You can also download and share the below video on Facebook or other social media platforms to spread awareness for Canton's Move the Vote campaign!

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